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T O P I C R E V I E W

idrvball

I recently bought this Scott Carpenter cover and it was also signed by Edward Givens. The signature doesn't match Givens' normal signature. But, I find it hard to believe, but certainly not impossible, that someone would forge Givens name on the cover.

Or, could this possibly be an early Ed Gibson signature? But, it clearly looks like there is a V in the signature.

Hate to disagree with Chris, but the signature in question clearly reads "Givens", not Gibson. Though the signature certainly looks similar to Gibson's early autopen pattern I don't think Ed Gibson signed the above cover. Of course, whether Givens signed it is another matter. The signature does share certain traits with Givens' more recognized autograph, but without more evidence or better examples to work with I'd not have great confidence in saying it's an authentic Givens signature (which isn't to say it couldn't be).

Robert Pearlman

For the benefit of those unfamiliar with what may be the rarest of the astronaut autographs, here is an authentic example of Givens' signature:

Given (no pun intended) the example of Gibson's and Givens' handwriting, I think Chris is correct in that it appears to match more closely Gibson's script.

It would help to know when the cover in question was signed, as in 1962, Givens and Gibson were years from becoming an astronaut...

chet

The signature certainly resembles Gibson's more than Givens', but then how can it be accounted for that the name written is clearly "Givens", not "Gibson"? Also, it should be noted that Gibson wrote out his "S"s singularly, in nearly printed form, not cursively; the signature in question, however ends with a cursive "s". If I had to guess on this one (and I do), it'd be that neither Gibson or Givens signed the autograph on the above cover. And given that Givens' autograph can command large sums, it may be that someone thought it a good idea to add his name, hoping for a better payday than just Carpenter's signature might bring alone.

Robert Pearlman

I think what you are reading as "iv" is in fact "ib" but either Gibson was rushed or his pen slipped, which broke the fluidity of his stroke and accounts for the odd "s" that follows.

chet

I could be wrong, of course, but I don't see how the portion of the signature after the character that resembles a "V" could be construed as "son" instead of "ens", though it's certainly possible.

Hart Sastrowardoyo

Could it be that the "/" is not the end of the 'v' but the beginning of the 'b'? With what looks the 'e' is actually the 'ball' of the 'b'?

(And for what its worth, I have a Kate Rubins SP in which it looks like she signed her first name beginning with an 'N' instead of a 'K.' I have to scan that; it'll be interesting trying to explain that when the time comes....)